Calabria

Calabria `s strong traditions and flavors are born from a marriage of the sea and mountains. Surrounded by an azure sea with a landscape of stunning mountains and coastal beaches, Calabria `s geography has contributed to its unique history, foods and traditions. This region is blessed with some of the most pristine beaches in Europe and has three fine national parks: the Pollino in the north, the Sila in the center and the Aspromonte in the south. All offer an abundance of hiking trails as well as diverse flora and fauna. Calabria `s many lakes offer fishing and its mountains offer skiing in the winter.

Rentals Calabria Northern Calabria Valeria Diamante Search more properties in Italy »

Calabria `s Strong Traditions and Flavors Are Born from a Marriage of the Sea and Mountains

Since the 6 th century B.C., Calabria has been overtaken by many different empires: Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Carthaginian and Byzantine, mainly as a result of the desirability of its location and the impossibility of defending its 485 miles of coastline. Perhaps as a consequence of being subjugated under many invading empires, Calabrians adhere fiercely to their own rituals and traditional foods.

This is the land that the Greeks called “Enotria,” wine in Greek, because it was the wine country of this ancient empire. More than 100 grape varieties exist here, the most prominent being Ciro`, which is considered by many to be the oldest wine grape in the world. Calabria is also the land of the peperoncino, or hot chili pepper, which spices many of the traditional Calabrian foods. Calabrians take their many varieties of peppers seriously and have established the Accademia del Peperoncino (Academy of the Hot Chili Pepper) in the Tyrrhenian coastal resort of Diamante. The Calabrians celebrate their most popular spice in a colorful weeklong Peperoncino Festival in September.

In a traditional Calabrian household, the pasta is made by hand and often served with a ragu`, or tomato-based meat sauce. Other traditional foods include swordfish, which are caught using the fishing techniques of the ancient Phoenicians, homemade cured meats such as salame and soppressata, olives and olive oil, legumes and Calabrese-style pecorino cheese. Key products are the area`s much-acclaimed figs, olives, olive oil and citrus fruits, especially citron. All products from this region are farmed and produced following time-honored traditions—without pesticides, preservatives or additives—creating a completely natural and organic product.

One of the best ways to experience Calabrian traditions and foods are to stay at authentic farmhouses on working farms. Excellent examples of this include the Valeria Farmhouse and the Diamante Farmhouse . Visitors will enjoy the warm, generous nature of the Calabrians, who make all guests feel at home.

Calabria is blessed with some of the most pristine beaches in Europe and has three fine national parks: the Pollino in the north, the Sila in the center and the Aspromonte in the south. All offer an abundance of hiking trails as well as diverse flora and fauna. Calabria `s many lakes offer fishing and its mountains offer skiing in the winter.

A sampler of things to do and tourist sights include:

• Diamante , pretty coastal resort and home of the Peperoncino Festival
• Tropea , a seaside resort that is close to some of Calabria `s best beaches
• Parco Nationale del Pollino , 760 square miles of jagged mountain peaks, and alpine meadows filled with wildflowers in the spring.
• Altomonte . The residents of this ancient borgo (little village) have restored its medieval streets, churches and histroric palaces. Its amphitheatre hosts the Festival Mediterranneo dei Due Mari (Mediterranean Festival of Two Seas) every year in July and August.
• Praia a Mare , where boats can be rented to explore the caves and grottoes of the tiny, rugged Isola di Dino.
• Scalea , a picturesque town hanging on the steps of rock (hence the name scale, meaning stairs)
• Paola , a medieval town named after the miracle worker San Francesco da Paola, who was born here in 1416. The Santuary that bears his name has a Renaissance-baroque façade and is a stop on the pilgrimage route. Just outside of town is the underground Chiesa di Sotterra with some of the oldest Byzantine frescoes in Calabria .
• Reggio Calabria. The famous Bronzi di Riace, Greek bronzes that rank among the world`s greatest marine archeological finds, can be found in the Museo Acheologico Nationale here.

Special Requests

Activities, cooking courses, tours, excursions, etc. Please send an e-mail to info@restacumme.com �